Optical system and optical pickup apparatus there with

ABSTRACT

An optical pickup apparatus for recording data in and/or reproducing data from recording mediums with different formats by using one single optical system is disclosed. The optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical system, wherein a filtering surface that transmits or reflects wavelengths from different rays coats the peripheral side of the center of an input surface and the center of an output surface. Here, the transmitting surface having a conical shape centering on the input surface is projected inwardly or outwardly. Therefore, the optical pickup apparatus of the present invention can be applied to different recording mediums using rays having different wavelengths from one another, and a light, small optical pickup apparatus can be implemented by using one single optical system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical pickup apparatus, and more particularly to an optical pickup apparatus for recording data in and/or reproducing data from recording mediums with different formats by using a single optical system.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004] As a result of continuous efforts to increase recording capacity of an optical disk, a digital video disk (hereinafter referred to as DVD) having mass storage recording capacity compared with a known compact disk (hereinafter referred to as CD) has been developed. Further, a high-density disk (hereinafter referred to as HD) for recording and/or reproducing data in high density (twice the density of an CD) by utilizing an existing CD and a drive therefore are currently under development. Compared with the CD, the DVD has not only a high recording density (i.e., track pitch) but also shorter distance from the surface of the disk to the surface for recording data. Therefore, an optical pickup apparatus for use in DVD is difficult to record data in or reproduce data from a CD primarily because of spherical aberration (SA) which is generated when the distance between the surface of the optical disk and the surface for recoding data changes, coma aberration (CA) which is generated when the optical disk is tilted, and astigmatism due to defocusing.

[0005] Spherical aberration causes the intensity of a main lobe of an optical beam by a data recording medium area to be relatively larger than the intensity of a side robe by an area other than the data recording medium, and as a result thereof, an interference phenomenon between data tracks is generated. Moreover, coma aberration and astigmatism make an optical system unstable, and deteriorate optic characteristics thereof. The spherical aberration, the coma aberration, and the astigmatism are dependent on the range of distance between the surface of the optical disk and the surface for recoding data, refractivity, numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens, amount of defocusing, or tilting degree of an optical disk.

[0006] Typically, in case that an optical pickup apparatus adjusts the diameter of an optical beam from a light source by using objective lenses with different numerical apertures, it can be accessible to both the CD and the DVD.

[0007] Accordingly, two different kinds of objective lenses having different numerical apertures from each other can be used. However, an optical pickup apparatus that is accessible to the CD and to the DVD by coating one objective lens with a SWP filter has been suggested.

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a typically known optical pickup apparatus for use in a combination CD/DVD combo.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, the optical pickup apparatus includes a light source 1 for emitting a light for use in DVD, a light source 2 for emitting a light for use in CD, a beam splitter 3 for transmitting an optical beam that has been emitted from the light for use in DVD source 1 and reflecting an optical beam that has been emitted from the light source for use in CD 2, a collimating lens 4 for making an optical beam in progress from the beam splitter 3 to a parallel beam, a half mirror 5 for converting a light path by reflecting the parallel beam that passed through the collimating lens 4, an objective lens 6 a for converging the beam the half mirror 5 reflected to an arbitrary spot on a disk 7, and a SWP filter 6 b for adjusting NA of the objective lens 6 a.

[0010] An optical beam being emitted from the light source for use in DVD 1 passes through the beam splitter 3 and becomes a parallel beam by the collimating lens 4. On the other hand, an optical beam being emitted from the light source for use in CD 2 is reflected by the beam splitter 3, and becomes a parallel beam by the collimating lens 4. When the parallel beam passes through the collimating lens 4, the half mirror 5 verticalizes the optical path of the parallel beam, and the optical beam via the half mirror 5 converges to one spot on the disk 7 by the objective lens 6 a. At this time, a CD/DVD common access through selective filtering of 650 nm (DVD) and 780 nm (CD) can be made by passing the incident optical beam upon the objective lens 6 a by way of the half mirror 5 through the SWP filter 6 b.

[0011] More strictly speaking, there are things to be considered for compatible use of CD and DVD, such as, difference of numerical apertures (NA), difference of wavelengths, and difference of disk thicknesses (t).

[0012] Especially, in case of an objective lens for use in HD for recording/reproducing, NA is 0.85, the wavelength (X) is 405 nm, and the disk difference (t) is 0.1 mm. On the other hand, in case of an objective lens for use in DVD, NA is 0.6, the wavelength (λ) is 650 nm, and the disk difference (t) is 0.6 mm. Therefore, a special kind of means for overcoming the differences of NA, wavelength (λ), and t is required for the compatible use of HD and DVD. In short, the spherical aberration caused by the difference in the thicknesses of a disk and the chromatic aberration caused by the difference in laser wavelengths should be compensated, in order to reproduce a disk for use in DVD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter.

[0014] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an optical pickup apparatus for recording data and/or reproducing data from recording mediums with different formats.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical system for converging an optical beam to recording mediums with different formats.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing an optical system for use in an optical pickup apparatus which includes: a first transmitting surface, being projected on a center of an input surface, for transmitting a first rays and a second rays; a first filtering surface, being coated around the first transmitting surface, for transmitting the first rays and simultaneously transmitting the second rays; a second transmitting surface, being projected on an output surface that is in opposite to the first transmitting surface and to the first filtering surface, for converging the first rays and the second rays that are incident upon the first transmitting surface; and a second filtering surface, being coated around the second transmitting surface, for reflecting the first rays and simultaneously transmitting the second rays.

[0017] Preferably, the wavelength of the second rays is longer than the wavelength of the first rays.

[0018] Preferably, the first transmitting surface is projected inwardly or outwardly.

[0019] Preferably, the first rays and the second rays are selected from rays for use in CD, rays for use in DVD, or rays for use in HD.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, an optical system for use in an optical pickup apparatus includes: a first transmitting surface, being projected on a center of an input surface, for transmitting a first wavelength and a second wavelength; a second transmitting surface, being formed at a center of an output surface that is in opposite to the first transmitting surface, for converging the first wavelength and the second wavelength; and a first and second filtering surface, being coated around the first and second transmitting surface, respectively, for reflecting the first wavelength and simultaneously for transmitting the second wavelength.

[0021] Preferably, the first and second filtering surface is made of material that is capable of selectively transmitting rays, depending on wavelength.

[0022] Preferably, the first wavelength and the second wavelength is one of a CD use wavelength, a DVD use wavelength, or a HD use wavelength.

[0023] According to still another aspect of the present invention, an optical pickup apparatus includes: a first and second light source for emitting a first and second rays, respectively, a beam splitter for transmitting the first rays that is emitted from the first light source and reflecting the second rays that is emitted from the second light source; a half mirror for converting an light path by reflecting the first and second rays in progress from the beam splitter; and an optical system, which is coated with a first and second filtering surface being projected on a center of an input surface for selectively transmitting rays toward a center of an external area of the input surface and of an output surface according to wavelength, for converging the first rays and the second rays reflected by the half mirror to different recording mediums with different formats, respectively.

[0024] Preferably, the second rays have a longer wavelength than the first rays.

[0025] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a typically known optical pickup apparatus for use in a combination CD/DVD;

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates an optical system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 3 is an optical pickup apparatus mounted with the optical system illustrated in FIG. 2, for use in a combination HD/DVD; and

[0030]FIG. 4 depicts an optical system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The following detailed description will present a preferred embodiment of the invention in reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032]FIG. 2 is an optical system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, the optical system illustrated in FIG. 2 is a catadioptric lens that is capable of selectively transmitting light, depending on wavelengths of different rays. In FIG. 2, solid lines represent the light progress direction of a HD, and dotted lines represent the light progress direction of a DVD.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the optical system 20 includes a first transmitting surface 25 being formed on a center of an input surface 21, a first filtering surface 27 being formed around the first transmitting surface 25, a second transmitting surface 29 being formed on an opposite side of the input surface 21, namely a center of an output surface 23 in opposite to the input surface 21, and a second filtering surface 31 being formed around the second transmitting surface 29.

[0034] The first transmitting surface 25 is projected toward the inside of the optical system 21, forming a conical shape. That is, the first transmitting surface 25, when it is seen from the side of the optical system 20, gets narrower on the top looking down, and part of the side is tilted at certain angles. Here, the tilting degree should be designed in such manner that when an incident rays are emitted through the first transmitting surface 25, the rays should be incident upon the second filtering surface 31. Also, a slope surface of the transmitting surface with the conical shape has a round shape projected inwardly or outwardly. If an arbitrary rays (rays for use in DVD or rays for use in HD) are incident upon the first transmitting surface 25, the arbitrary rays are refracted to inward of the optical system 20, due to the tilted transmitting surface 25, and is emitted later.

[0035] The first filtering surface 27 and the second filtering surface 31 are made of material for transmitting rays selectively, depending on their wavelengths. In other words, the first filtering surface 27 and the second filtering surface 31 transmit rays with long wavelengths, while reflect rays with short wavelengths. For example, when rays for use in DVD having the wavelength of 650 nm and rays for use in HD having the wavelength of 405 nm are incident upon the first and second filtering surface 27, 31, the rays for use in DVD having a long wavelength are transmitted, but the rays for use in HD having a short wavelength are all reflected. Here, the first and second filtering surface 27, 31 should be able to selectively transmit every incident rays upon its inner surface and outer surface.

[0036] Preferably, every part of the first and second filtering surface 27, 31 except for the first and second transmitting surface 25, 29, is coated to be able to encompass the diameter of rays having a long wavelength (e.g., rays for use in DVD).

[0037] The second transmitting surface 29 could be perfectly flat or a slight bent plane. Also, the second transmitting surface 29 is desirable to have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the first transmitting surface 25 at the least.

[0038] To explain about the operation of the optical system with the above-described structure, the rays for use in HD are incident upon the first transmitting surface 25, and is refracted due to the tilted surface and is later incident upon the second filtering surface 31. The rays for use in HD incident on the second filtering surface 31 are reflected and incident upon the first filtering surface 27. Afterward, the rays for use in HD are reflected by the first filtering surface 27, and are incident upon the second transmitting surface 29, and is finally converged on the disk 33.

[0039] In the meantime, the rays for use in DVD having a broader width than the rays for use in HD are incident upon the first transmitting surface 25 and the first filtering surface 27. Similar to the rays for use in HD, the rays for use in DVD are emitted at the first transmitting surface 25, and the first filtering surface 27 transmits the rays for use in DVD without any change. The rays for use in DVD, because of the bent input surface of the optical system 20, are refracted at certain angles. Once the rays for use in DVD passed through the first filtering surface 27, it is incident upon the second transmitting surface 29, and converged on the DVD use disk 35.

[0040] In general, the optical system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied to an optical pickup apparatus, enabling to record/reproduce data of recording mediums with different formats. More details involved in this part are now provided with reference to FIG. 3.

[0041]FIG. 3 is an optical pickup apparatus mounted with the optical system illustrated in FIG. 2, for use in a combination HD/DVD. Referring to FIG. 3, the optical pickup apparatus includes a HD use light source 41 for emitting light for use in a HD, a light source for use in DVD 42 for emitting light for use in DVD, a beam splitter 43 for transmitting the optical beam that is emitted from the HD use light source 41 and reflecting the optical beam that is emitted from the light source for use in DVD 42, a collimating lens 44 for making an optical beam in progress from the beam splitter 43 to a parallel beam, a half mirror 45 for reflecting the parallel beam that has passed through the collimating lens 44 and converting the light path thereof, and an optical system 20 for selectively transmitting or reflecting the rays for use in HD and the rays for use in DVD that are reflected from the half mirror 45, depending on wavelength of the rays, thereby converging each rays to recording mediums with different formats, respectively.

[0042] As aforementioned in the description on FIG. 2, the optical system 20 includes the first transmitting surface 25 formed on the input surface 21 to the direction of an optical axis, and the second transmitting surface 29 formed on the output surface 23. Further, the optical system 20 includes the first filtering surface 27 and the second filtering surface 31 that are coated with material for selectively transmitting or reflecting rays to the peripheral sides of the first and second transmitting surface 25, 29. As described before, when rays for use in HD (wavelength: 405 nm) and rays for use in DVD (wavelength: 650 nm) are incident upon the optical system 20, the rays for use in HD are emitted at the first transmitting surface 25, and reflected by the second filtering surface 31 and the first filtering surface 27 in succession, and is finally converged to the HD use disk 33 through the second transmitting surface 29. On the other hand, the rays for use in DVD are transmitted through the first and second filtering surface 27, 31, and converged to the DVD use disk 35.

[0043] In addition, the shape of the first transmitting surface 25 shown in FIG. 2 can be changed to achieve the objects of the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 4 depicts an optical system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the optical system 37, because the second transmitting surface 29 and the first and second filtering surface 27, 31 are the identical with those in FIG. 2 in terms of shape and function, the same reference numerals are used here again, but a first transmitting surface 39 is different from the first transmitting surface of FIG. 2.

[0045] More specifically, the first transmitting surface 39 in the optical system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is projected outwardly, having the conical shape. This might be understood better with reference to FIG. 2. Shortly speaking, the first transmitting surface 25 in FIG. 2 has a conical shape, being projected inwardly, but the first transmitting surface 39 in FIG. 4 has a conical shape, being projected outwardly.

[0046] Accordingly, the rays for use in HD with the wavelength of 405 nm, being incident upon the first transmitting surface 39, progress to an opposite direction of the rays for use in HD of FIG. 2. To summarize, the rays for use in HD illustrated in FIG. 2 are emitted from the first transmitting surface 25, but the rays for use in HD illustrated in FIG. 4 are shrunk at the first transmitting surface 39. For instance, the rays for use in HD being incident upon the left side centering on the vertex of the conical shaped first transmitting surface 39 in FIG. 4 are refracted and progresses to the right side, while the rays for use in HD being incident upon the right side are refracted and progressed to the left side.

[0047] The rays for use in HD are then reflected by the first and second filtering surface 27, 31, and converged to the HD use disk 33 through the second transmitting surface 29.

[0048] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, while the invention has been described in connection with the HD and the DVD, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the optical pickup apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention can be applied to the CD or different kinds of recording mediums.

[0049] In addition, the first transmitting surface can be formed to a round shape having a curvature.

[0050] Therefore, using one single optical system, it is possible to record data in and/or reproduce data from recording mediums with different formats, respectively, thereby expanding the applicability of the optical pickup apparatus.

[0051] Further, unlike the conventional optical pickup apparatus of which thickness is relatively large because of the optical system mounted with a SWP filter for filtering wavelengths, besides the objective lens for recording data in different recording mediums, the present invention introduced a thin, light optical pickup apparatus to which one single optical system having a different structure is used.

[0052] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical system for use in an optical pickup apparatus for converging a first rays and a second rays, wherein the first rays has a shorter wavelength than the second rays, comprising: a first transmitting surface, being projected on a center of an input surface, for transmitting the first rays and the second rays; a first filtering surface, being coated around the first transmitting surface, for transmitting the first rays and simultaneously transmitting the second rays; a second transmitting surface, being projected on an output surface that is in opposite to the first transmitting surface and to the first filtering surface, for converging the first rays and the second rays that are incident upon the first transmitting surface; and a second filtering surface, being coated around the second transmitting surface, for reflecting the first rays and simultaneously transmitting the second rays.
 2. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting surface emits the first rays to the second filtering surface.
 3. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the second filtering surface reflects the first rays having been emitted through the first transmitting surface onto the first filtering surface.
 4. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first filtering surface reflects the first rays having been reflected from the second filtering surface onto the second transmitting surface.
 5. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting surface is projected inwardly or outwardly.
 6. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting surface has a conical shape or round shape with a curvature.
 7. The optical system according to claim 6, wherein a slope surface of the transmitting surface with the conical shape has a round shape projected inwardly or outwardly.
 8. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first filtering surface is coated to be able to encompass diameter of the second rays.
 9. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first rays and the second rays are selected from a group consisting rays for use in CD, rays for use in DVD, and rays for use in HD.
 10. An optical system for use in an optical pickup apparatus for converging a first wavelength and a second wavelength, comprising: a first transmitting surface, being projected on a center of an input surface, for transmitting the first wavelength and the second wavelength; a second transmitting surface, being formed at a center of an output surface that is in opposite to the first transmitting surface, for converging the first wavelength and the second wavelength; and a first and second filtering surface, being coated around the first and second transmitting surface, respectively, for reflecting the first wavelength and simultaneously for transmitting the second wavelength
 11. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the second filtering surface reflects the first wavelength having been emitted through the first transmitting surface onto the first filtering surface.
 12. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the first filtering surface reflects the first wavelength having been reflected from the second filtering surface onto the second transmitting surface.
 13. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second filtering surface are made of material that is capable of selectively transmitting rays in accordance with wavelength.
 14. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the first transmitting surface is projected inwardly or outwardly.
 15. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the first rays and the second rays are selected from a group consisting rays for use in CD, rays for use in DVD, and rays for use in HD.
 16. An optical pickup apparatus for recording/reproducing data, interchangeably using recording mediums with different formats, comprising: a first and second light source for emitting a first and second rays, respectively, a beam splitter for transmitting the first rays that is emitted from the first light source and reflecting the second rays that is emitted from the second light source; a half mirror for converting an light path by reflecting the first and second rays in progress from the beam splitter; and an optical system, which is coated with a first and second filtering surface being projected on a center of an input surface for selectively transmitting rays toward a center of an external area of the input surface and of an output surface according to wavelength, for converging the first rays and the second rays reflected by the half mirror to different recording mediums with different formats, respectively.
 17. The optical pickup apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second rays has a longer wavelength than the first rays.
 18. The optical pickup apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first rays is incident upon the center of the input surface, and reflected by the first and second filtering surface, and converged to one of the different recording mediums.
 19. The optical pickup apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second rays is incident upon the entire input surface, and transmitted through the first filtering surface inside of which the first rays is refracted, and converted into one of the different recording mediums.
 20. The optical pickup apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the center of the input surface is projected inwardly or outwardly. 